The match is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. Republic FC won the 2016 season series with a 1-0 win on Apr. 2, 2016 and a 1-1 draw on Jun. 25, 2016. Republic FC lead the all-time series 4-1-3.

Republic FC enter the match after drawing 2-2 with Swope Park Rangers on Wednesday, Aug. 23. The match was Republic FC’s second in five days and part of a stretch of three matches in eight days, the first of two such stretches to finish the season.

Wilson Kneeshaw scored Republic FC’s first goal, following up a free kick from Emrah Klimenta that went up and over the wall, before hitting the crossbar and bouncing off the goal line. Kneeshaw’s follow up goal was his fifth of the season and his eighth as a member of Republic FC, moving him into a tie with Adam Jahn for fifth on the Republic FC all-time USL goal list.

Forward Tyler Blackwood scored Republic FC’s equalizing goal on Wednesday, his sixth goal on the season. Blackwood moved into a tie with Trevin Caesar for the club lead in USL goals on the season.

Phoenix Rising FC come into the match on a three-match unbeaten streak and, like Republic FC, have lost just twice in their last eleven matches. Most recently Phoenix battled to a 1-1 draw with Orange County SC on Aug. 18.

Chelsea-legend Didier Drogba, who is a player-owner for Phoenix, leads Rising FC, scoring five goals and adding two assists in nine appearances this season. Drogba is joined by former Chelsea teammate Shawn Wright-Phillips, who has scored two goals and added an assist on the season, and Mexico and Chivas-legend Omar Bravo, who has scored a goal and added two assists on the season.